KUALA LUMPUR: The Covid-19 screening in all schools under the education ministry must be conducted using saliva test kits only.
In a statement today, the ministry said the use of nasal swab tests is not allowed and not in accordance with its instructions in a letter dated Nov 28.
Referring to a photo titled “Teachers conduct practical training by swabbing students in a school” that went viral on social media, the ministry said investigations found that it involved a school in Pahang.
Sixteen students at the school had been selected at random to undergo the screening using saliva test kits, it said, but a nasal swab demonstration was also conducted, involving four students and four teachers, who were assisted by two community nurses.
The ministry said the self-test for students was being implemented in accordance with the Guidelines for School Management and Operation 3.0.
It said the tests for primary pupils, using kits supplied by the ministry, must be done on a rotation basis, involving at least 10% of the pupils.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA